Questions emerge over management of new Buncombe Culture & Rec Authority

Commissioners unanimously voted Aug. 6 to begin transferring management of Buncombe County’s libraries, parks and recreation facilities to a new Culture and Recreation Authority (CRA). Their first move was appointing themselves to serve as the new board — an act that highlights questions over how the new entity will implement its power.

District elections: Beyond the rhetoric

The recent disclosure that state Rep. Tim Moffitt had drafted a bill to change Asheville City Council contests from an at-large system to predominantly district elections has triggered heated debate among both elected officials and the general public. Although Moffitt hasn’t yet filed the bill, which mirrors the state-mandated 2011 switch for the Buncombe County commissioners, he could follow through at any time, and the potential impacts are substantial. In the following articles, Xpress takes a closer look at what such a move might mean for this city — and for this year’s scheduled elections.